Nassau County Executive Ed Mangano announced on June 27 that 61 contractors were arrested after a sting operation was held throughout Franklin Square and Valley Stream.

Woodmere-based ASAP Restoration Inc. Owner Avraham Kardi was one of 61 contractors who were arrested following nine sting operations conducted by the Nassau County Police Department and Nassau County Office of Consumer Affairs after receiving more than 100 complaints from Hurricane Sandy Victims.

Contractors with unresolved consumer complaints and violations were asked to perform work on the sting houses and were arrested after they claimed they were licensed. The sting operations were conducted throughout Franklin Square and Valley Stream, and resulted in 61 arrests, the seizure of more than 50 vehicles and $150,000 in fines.

“Nassau County will not tolerate those who attempt to scam our residents and prey on Hurricane Sandy victims,” Mangano said in a statement. “If you are performing contract work in Nassau County without a proper license or trying to cheat our homeowners, we’ll find you, arrest you and ask the District Attorney to throw the book at you.”

The 61 contractors who were arrested are being charged with operating without a Nassau County Home Improvement License and face a Class A misdemeanor, punishable by a fine of up to $5,000 or one year in jail.

Funny part is an unlicensed contractor does not have a right to sue a homeowner for payment. Therefore if you are unhappy with his work just with hold final payment. An unlicensed contractor can not sue you are put a lien on your house.

Being unlicensed by itself means nothing. The fact is most of these places did lousy work or overcharged which is why they were reported.